Making a splash this summer and continuing through the fall, water aerobics students have fun while exercising in Ringgold.
North Georgia Health Care Center aquatics facility has adults rotating their arms, wrists and stretching while incorporating foam dumbbells into some movements. North Georgia Community YMCA instructors teach the water-based exercise.
"Water aerobics is great for improving balance, bone density, joint flexibility, range of motion and it's a good workout," said YMCA Executive Director Jon Donahoo. "It's great for muscular endurance. Water's buoyancy helps adults with arthritis and physical disabilities move a little better."
Water aerobics participant Mary Ellen Rowley, of Ringgold, said she "loves it" and the class helps her lose weight and feel great.
Instructor D'Wauna Young teaches the low-impact exercise to help students build up their cardio and muscular strength. She said aerobics in water is much easier than aerobics on land.
"You don't have to know how to swim to participate in water aerobics," said Young, who has taken water aerobics classes for many years and is instructing the class for the first time. "Our class participants are senior citizens who deal with issues of joint replacement or arthritis, so water aerobics allows them to have flexibility by moving and working their joints and muscles. We encourage everyone to go at their own pace and not overexert themselves. You work at what feels good for you."
Donahoo said Y water aerobics and swim lessons are two initiatives that NGHCC and the YMCA hope to continue year-round.
Swimming instructors enroll students ages 6 months to 12 years old to learn freestyle swimming. Classes have one instructor to every four swimmers. Water aerobics has been going strong yearround for a few years.
To learn more about YMCA water aerobics and swimming lessons at North Georgia Health Care Center, call 706-935-2226 or email ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.